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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by mjcortes on October 14, 2002, at 18:35:36
Need opinions on this combo!
I am diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety, and have tried almost every other AD under the sun.EffexorXR 75 mg
Lexapro 5 mg
Olanzapine 1.25 mg
Xanax as needed
Kinda worried about the Effexor XR and Lexapro taken together (seratonin Syndrome??)Thanks!
Posted by Roman on October 14, 2002, at 18:42:08
In reply to Lexapro/Effexor XR, posted by mjcortes on October 14, 2002, at 18:35:36
I'm curious: what did your doctor tell you regarding why he/she suggested this combination?
Posted by mjcortes on October 15, 2002, at 10:22:31
In reply to Re: Lexapro/Effexor XR » mjcortes, posted by Roman on October 14, 2002, at 18:42:08
The reason is that i had tried Effexor before in combo with Pamelor, and i had GREAT results, but eventualy after 4 years of feeling good, it pooped out on me, so i have been trying to find a Doctor who will be able to find the right combo for me, and it seems like Effexor and Lexapro seem to be doing something good, but also this was my second time arround on Effexor XR, but alone it was not doing much so after 6 weeks of not seeing any improvment, my doctor decided to add Lexapro, and see how i would do on this combo. So here i am today. I was diagnosed 8 years ago with severe Anxiety and Depression with a hint of OCD.
Thanks!
Posted by Bill L on October 15, 2002, at 10:27:07
In reply to Lexapro/Effexor XR, posted by mjcortes on October 14, 2002, at 18:35:36
I wonder why your doctor didn't go higher than 75 mg Effexor before giving up on it. Also, why would he only prescribe 5 mg of Lexapro before giving up on that?
Posted by mjcortes on October 15, 2002, at 10:33:41
In reply to Re: Lexapro/Effexor XR, posted by Bill L on October 15, 2002, at 10:27:07
My doctor did raise my Effexor XR to 150 and said that he would probably raise the Lexapro a little higher, the reason why i did not stay on a high dose of Effexor XR is beacuse i flip out on anything higher than 75 mg. I am very sensitive to high dosses of meds, and always have done well on low dosses.
Posted by celesteloveage on October 15, 2002, at 18:59:33
In reply to Re: Lexapro/Effexor XR, posted by Bill L on October 15, 2002, at 10:27:07
Now that I'm on these meds (Lexapro) is this something I'll have to consume for the rest of my life? Also, are there studies done on the effects of long term usage and what the meds do to our bodies, i.e. liver, kidneys, brain, etc... I sometimes feel life is nothing more then one big science experiment!
Posted by Roman on October 15, 2002, at 20:11:29
In reply to Re: Lexapro/Effexor XR, posted by mjcortes on October 15, 2002, at 10:22:31
Lexapro is so new, I doubt there's much experience to learn from concerning how it works in various cocktails--it seems to behave differently than Celexa, docs can't count on the same results.
If it works for you, and your doc is supervising the treatment, there shouldn't be much to worry about--just keep your eye out for any strange symptoms.
Good luck!
Posted by Bill L on October 16, 2002, at 14:44:30
In reply to Re: Lexapro/Effexor XR, posted by celesteloveage on October 15, 2002, at 18:59:33
Studies are done to test the effects of these drugs on your organs. No problems of this type have turned up with Lexapro or with it's predecesor Celexa.
As to your question about needing antidepressants for life, it depends on the reason behind your depression. For example, if someone is molested and that's why they are depressed, then the medication can end once the person works through the inner turmoil, oftentimes with a therapist.
But if someone is depressed for no known reason, it may be due to a chemical imbalance, generally thought to be the chemical serotonin. In that case, the drugs would probably need to be taken for life. The only time that I am aware of that a drug might possibly need to be discontinued, is either during pregnancy or during breast feeding. I don't think that any problems have been reported but people like to play it safe.
This is the end of the thread.
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